Read Online Indiscretion: Volume One by Elisabeth Grace - Free Book Online Page A

in front of us. I was pretty sure he wasn’t talking about the building, and I turned my head slightly so that our lips were only inches apart. His gaze dropped from my eyes down to my mouth. Thoughts of him kissing me swirled in my head and I wet my lips with my tongue. Max bit down on his bottom lip and a small groan escaped.
    A knock on the door startled us both, and Max immediately straightened himself and moved to answer it.
    I used the opportunity to make my way out to the balcony. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, enjoying the fresh air in my lungs, and hoping it would help to clear my lust-filled brain. His suite overlooked the ocean, the view absolutely stunning as the light reflected from various hotels and homes along the shore onto the black water. A full moon hung low over the sea, casting an ethereal glow over the night. There was only a whisper of a breeze, and waves lapped gently at the shore. In all, it was the perfect romantic vista for a dinner date.
    But I had to remind myself that tonight was not about romance.
    A minute or two later, Max joined me, pushing a dinner cart. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered for you. Do you like seafood? I figured it was a safe bet, being that you were born and raised on the eastern seaboard.” He smiled and placed a plate with a silver cover onto the table, putting my wine glass beside my dinner. We each took a seat, and Max removed the lid with a flourish. “Dinner is served.”
    “Wow, it all looks wonderful, thank you.” And I meant it. A lobster roll sat beside a small piece of halibut, while artichoke and asparagus were nestled beside some roasted potatoes. It wasn’t often that I was able to treat myself to a meal like this. I’d grown accustomed to searching through the local flyers for the best deals every week in an attempt to keep the grocery bill down.
    “My pleasure.” Max rubbed the back of his neck. He looked like he wanted to say something but was unsure about it. Finally, he said, “I have a confession to make about what Nancy was really doing here.”
    A pit formed in the bottom of my stomach, and I steeled myself for what he would say next. With my history, I didn’t expect the best when someone declared they had something they had to tell me. Quite the opposite.
    I plastered on as natural a smile as I could manage, silently cursing myself for agreeing to come here tonight.

 
    CHAPTER NINE
     
    Chloe
     
    He cleared his throat. “Nancy does work for the company, but we’re also…” here it comes , “friends, and I asked for her help to prepare for tonight.”
    I blinked a couple of times. Wow. So not what I was expecting. But good. Really good. “Help prepare?”
    He winced. “You know, with the menu, the music, my wardrobe…” he trailed off, looking a little sheepish.
    I giggled and happiness swelled in my chest. Max, Mr. Millionaire, had gone to such trouble to try and impress me ?
    “Why are you laughing?” he asked, grinning.
    “I’m just surprised.” I shook my head. “I figured women were the only ones who put any effort into that kind of thing. I didn’t realize men enlisted the help of their friends .”
    He shrugged, seeming to have recovered from his momentary embarrassment seconds before. “Men do it too—when it matters. Besides, the fact that she handled some of the prep gave me more time to concentrate on the other activities I hope we’ll partake in this evening.” He gave me a heated look.
    My heart rate picked up speed, thumping away on the inside of my ribcage. I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I just looked down at my plate and began eating again. Only sounds of the waves meeting the shore and tourists on Main Street far off in the distance surrounded us. As the silence stretched on, it felt like a third person was at the table with us—me, Max, and the sexual tension neither of us was acknowledging at the moment. It was an entity of its own.
    I speared a piece of halibut and brought it